BCRC Staff

Lost in the pain and confusion of a Stage 2 breast cancer diagnosis, I walked through the doors of BCRC in 2008. BCRC illuminated the shadowed road ahead of me and gave me the hope and courage I so much needed. The Patient Navigators always made me feel comfortable in my own skin and confident that I was not going to face this battle alone.

I come to my role as a Bilingual Patient Navigator for BCRC with 14 years of experience in multi-family property management and extensive expertise as the co-owner of an HVAC business. I am also a certified makeup artist , blending creativity and attention to detail with my professional skills.

My career spans operations, marketing, customer relations, and navigating complex processes – all of which I now channel into supporting patients with empathy precision. I have been a TDCJ volunteer since 2021, volunteering in prison ministry and as a business advisor to help women discover their self-worth, and advocate for personal growth and healthy living. I also modeled for BCRC’s Art Bra event in 2025.

I’m a devoted mother of two and a proud wife. I treasure family life, enjoy reading, writing, sightseeing, nature and exploring new places and using my creativity to inspire others.

Deneitra Hutchinson joined the BCRC in July 2025 as a Patient Navigator, eager to assist clients with their cancer journey from diagnosis to survivorship and beyond. Diagnosed in 2009 with Stage 2 breast cancer and the BRCA 1 gene, Deneitra was not satisfied with the five-year survival statistics and fought to improve her chances of being around to see her young sons grow up.

With an extensive background in volunteerism and the nonprofit sector, Deneitra delivers compassion and a determined resourcefulness that acknowledges the dignity and worth of all individuals. She is an unapologetic defender of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, especially as it relates to healthcare.

A member of the Travis County Medical Alliance and the Austin Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., she continues to volunteer demonstrating the ethos of Shirley Chisholm, “Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.”

When it’s time to relax, she enjoys the arts, practicing yoga, and keeping company with close friends. Deneitra is married to an Army Veteran physician.

Elaine was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and reached out to BCRC for support. She joined the staff of BCRC in 2012 as a Bilingual Patient Navigator. In 2019, she transitioned to Community Educator to support the Young Breast Cancer Patients program funded through a cooperative agreement with the CDC. Elaine supports the CDC grant by coordinating public, professional, and community breast cancer related educational programs to Community Health Workers, BCRC clients, health care providers and public. She has a desire to give meaning and purpose to her breast cancer diagnosis and to support and educate the Latina population. Prior to the BCRC, Elaine was a high school math teacher and an adult GED math teacher.

Elaine received a BS in Mathematics from Texas State University. She is a certified teacher and received a Certificate for Medical Assistant. Elaine is a Certified Patient Navigator through the Harold P. Freeman Patient Navigation Institute, a Certified Community Health Worker, and Instructor through the Texas Department of State Health Services. Elaine received a CN-BA credentialing through the National Consortium of Breast Centers. She is a member of the Cancer Alliance of Texas.

Elaine is a native Austinite. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her wife, 2 daughters, 5 grandchildren and her fur babies. She also enjoys reading, riding her bike, and spending time with family.

Kerstin Wiggins joined the BCRC in March 2025 as a Patient Navigator, where she provides compassionate guidance and advocacy for individuals navigating breast cancer. A two-time breast cancer survivor, Kerstin was first introduced to BCRC through her cancer care team and now brings her lived experience, professional expertise, and deep commitment to patient-centered care to her role.
With a background in nonprofit consulting and client services, Kerstin has spent over 15 years bridging the nonprofit and technology sectors to enhance service delivery and community engagement. She is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work at the University of Texas at Arlington, specializing in oncology and mental health, with a research focus on the intersection of cancer care and mental health disparities.
As a Clinical Social Work Intern at The Christi Center in Austin, Kerstin provided grief support to individuals and families coping with significant loss, many of whom were affected by cancer. In addition to her professional work, she has served as a caregiver to several family members with cancer, giving her a deeply personal understanding of the challenges faced by both patients and their loved ones.

Based in Austin and New Braunfels, Kerstin finds balance in the outdoors, enjoying kayaking, swimming, and hiking with her dog. She is passionate about fostering resilience and empowerment among those affected by breast cancer and is committed to advancing equitable access to care.

In February of 2020, Laura joined the BCRC as a Patient Navigator, supporting the needs of women over 45 in Travis and Williamson counties. The full community of love that she received while going through her own treatments inspired her to want to be part of the BCRC.
Laura was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016. Knowing very little about breast cancer she found the BCRC by researching online and soon found a calming foundation in a BCRC Patient Navigator. Soon after treatment she became active within the breast cancer community as a two-year Art Bra Model then becoming part of the volunteer leadership team for Art Bra® Austin. Before working at the BCRC, Laura was a program manager, account manager, and a small business owner.

Laura has a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology, AAS Product Design, and certificate in PMP. She is also a Certified Community Health Worker through the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Laura has 2 adult daughters. In her spare time, she enjoys motorcycling, swimming, and paddling with Paddles with a Purpose, Austin’s first breast cancer specific Dragonboat team.

Mary Ellen was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and reached out to BCRC for support. She is grateful for her Patient Navigator with helping throughout her treatment; so she started volunteering with outreach, client assistance and companionship. In 2018, Mary Ellen joined BCRC as a Patient Navigator.

Mary Ellen received her CN-BA credentialing through the National Consortium of Breast Centers and is a Certified Community Health Worker through the Texas Department of State Health Services. Prior to the BCRC, Mary Ellen worked in retail management and was also a sales team manager.

Mary Ellen has been married for 43 years and has 2 adult children living in the Austin area. She has one dog, Lila, and enjoys gardening and cooking during her spare time.

Nell joined the BCRC team in October 2022 as Community Partnership Manager, bringing over two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector. Her career has spanned roles in community outreach, volunteer and program management with leading organizations in New York City, Hawaii, and Texas. Prior to joining BCRC, she led the Afghan Refugee Community Engagement Program at Refugee Services of Texas, where she played a key role in building sustainable partnerships and supporting refugee integration.

Nell holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Human Resources Management, and she is a certified Project Management Professional. She is currently pursuing her MBA with a concentration in Leadership and Workplace Conflict Resolution and is on track to graduate in 2025. Her academic and professional background reflects a strong commitment to organizational development, inclusive leadership, and community empowerment.

After living in Maui, Hawaii, Nell relocated to Austin in 2021. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time outdoors with her family. On weekends, you might find them paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake, swimming at Barton Springs, or catching waves at the Waco Surf Ranch.

In February 2024, Patricia embarked on her journey with the BCRC team, taking on the role of a Patient Navigator. With a rich background as a retired public-school administrator and her current appointment to the Community Council of Addressing Cancer Together (ACT) , Patricia has dedicated her career to being a staunch advocate for community access to resources that bolster strong family units.

We are happy to announce the addition of our newest team member, Rosemary Castro, who has joined BCRC as our Program Specialist. Rosemary was led to BCRC by a deeply personal connection when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. Rosemary’s keen understanding of the impact that access to the resources that BCRC provides could have had on the journey for her mother. Since joining our team in July, she has witnessed the incredible support and services that BCRC offers to the community, and that has further reinforced her commitment to our mission.

Her career has been marked by a dedication to nonprofit work and diverse roles supporting bilingual services and case management. These experiences have equipped Rosemary with valuable skills and insights into community engagement and support. In her free time, she finds solace in gardening, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, and cherishing moments with her partner, Sean, and their dog, Chapito.